Madison students learning peer communication skills

Nick Will - Oneida Dispatch
From left, Olivia Chapman and Kelly Spence of Matural Greatness LLC came to Madison Central School from Virginia to speak to girls about proper communication and confidence.

Nick Will - Oneida Dispatch
From Left, Annmarie Hatch, Cassandra Jenkins, Mackenzie Fiorello, Kaitlyn March and Gabrielle March write down their biggest stresses at an all-girl team building workshop at Madison Central School on April 25.

By Jolene Cleaver

jcleaver@oneidadispatch.com

@DispatchCleaver on Twitter

MADISON>> Young women in grades 8 to 10 at Madison Central School participated in a program designed to improve peer communications on Friday.

The district contracted the help of life coaches to do a workshop with the students, some of which allegedly have been exhibiting negative behavior toward their classmates on social networking websites.

The District hired Olivia Chapman and Kelly Spence, Washington, D.C.-area life coaches, to speak with the students during a half-day program. Information about their company can be viewed by visiting: http://www.naturalgreatnesscoaching.com/

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Spearheading the program was Jennifer Dodge, who teaches social studies at the 9th, 10th and 12th grade level.

Dodge hoped that the program would teach the students how to interact face to face and solve disagreements in a positive manner.

“The goal of this is not ‘let’s all hold hands and be best friends,’” she said, “That’s not reality.”

She said the goal is for the students to, “become strong, assertive women.”

The day started with a guided meditation designed to get the student in touch with their inner guide or consciousness, and how it can help them feel loving toward others.

“Once you verbalize a goal you are more connected to it,” said Olivia Chapman.

The presenters said it was the girls’ choice whether the young women chose to “buy in” to the message or not. But, they were urged to give it a try, and they did.

During the morning, the students were guided through an activity where they identified traits of being a positive “ideal” woman- the students came up with answers of, “inspiring, fearless, strong and confidence.”

Chapman guided the students to realize that their physical characteristics can change, but pointed the importance of identifying out inner qualities that everyone has.

The students were walked through activities where they identified positive character qualities they all have, and learned to live by them. They also learned the difference between responding and reacting to negativity.

Chapman shared a personal anecdote in which her boyfriend was continually liking another woman’s status on Facebook. Chapman worked through responding from a positive place rather than through anger or jealousy. It later turned out that the other woman was his cousin.

“It’s not worth it to fight over everything,” Chapman said, reinforcing the moral of her story.

They day wrapped up with role playing scenarios that involve cyber-bullying. An example Chapman posed was putting an ugly photo of a friend on a social networking site like Facebook in order to exact revenge on them for some perceived wrongdoing.

Mackenzie Fiorello, 14, a 9th grader from Madison said she felt that girls her age sometimes had a tendency to be angry and that there was fighting in social networking sites.

“It can be stressful if you are stuck in the middle,” of two friends fighting, she said.

Another student, 15-year-old Victoria Hysell said she was able to pick up some beneficial communication skills from the program.